From The Desk Of Cursive’s Tim Kasher: Austin, Texas

Cursive frontman Tim Kasher continues his graphic storytelling on sixth album Mama, I’m Swollen, out this week on Saddle Creek. He keeps it blunt and lyrically entertaining on the Omaha group’s moodiest LP yet, with song themes ranging from masturbation to tales starring Pinocchio. Kasher is guest editing magnetmagazine.com all week. Read our Q&A with him.

It has occurred to me that Austin must be my favorite music town in America. Spoon has remained one of my favorite bands ever since their first album, Telephono, came out in 1996. And now, in this century, Okkervil River (pictured), also from Austin, has become one of my favorite bands. I really enjoyed their 2005 album Black Sheep Boy, but it was their 2007 follow-up, The Stage Names, that fully convinced me. But that’s not all. There are a couple smaller bands out of Austin that I love as well, both filed under “Z”: Zykos and Zookeeper. Zykos, so I’ve been told, might be a bit stagnant at the moment, but don’t let that discourage you from checking them out. Their singer, Mike Booher, has the type of voice that can leave people divided; I can relate. Personally, I love it. Zookeeper is the latest moniker of songwriter Chris Simpson, previously of the Gloria Record and even more previously of Mineral. Zookeeper is easily Simpson’s most vibrant, energetic project and his best writing to date. Check it out!